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NamMedevac_70's avatar
NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2021

14 Reasons You Will Regret an RV in Retirement

RV-loving retirees talk about the downsides of spending retirement in a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel or other recreational vehicle.
by: Bob Niedt
April 1, 2021

https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/602368/14-reasons-you-will-regret-an-rv-in-retirement

As a non fulltime RVer I am only posting this for your info and will not be viewing the comments.
RV Lifestyle
  • philh's avatar
    philh
    Explorer II
    Apr 02, 2021
    I agree with all his points. This isn't something that most will be able to suddenly say, lets go RVing. I'm seeing frustrations pop up in forums and on FB, my toilet has a small drip and it's been at the dealer for 6 weeks. A friend, who is physically unable to work on his trailer, has an appointment in JULY to have wheel bearings repacked. I offered to help, he said it can wait, he's not going anywhere for awhile.

    Both the dealer that sold us the TT, and the one we ordered our 5th wheel from said 2021 sales will be lower than 2020. Instead of having inventory filling the lot, they are starting without much inventory.
  • Downunda's avatar
    Downunda
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2021
    I didn't see anything wrong with the article... RVing is one of those things you either take to or don't. Prospective RVers need to go in with open eyes and as many suggest rent first or buy an entry level rig to start with that way the risk is less. Also being a very handy person can save you a lot of time, money and frustration... as most of you know.
  • Nv_Guy's avatar
    Nv_Guy
    Explorer III
    Apr 02, 2021
    No matter the subject there are pros and cons. That article only lists the cons. OK. That's their opinion. Will it cause me to make any changes? Nope. Nothing to see here move on.
  • rlw999's avatar
    rlw999
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2021
    time2roll wrote:
    Compared to what? Some newbie re-writes this article every year just to get some followers.


    I'd guess that it's compared to not buying an RV -- there are lots of ways to retire without driving around in an RV that can be expensive to own and operate and someone contemplating the lifestyle needs to look at both pros and cons.

    To start a discussion, here are the main points from the 14 reasons you will regret an RV in retirement article:
    1. RVs Are Really Expensive
    2. You’ll Spend Even More Money Updating Your RV's Decor
    3. Your RV Will Depreciate in Value
    4. RVs Guzzle Fuel
    5. You'll Need Extra Insurance for Your RV
    6. Health Care Can Be a Hassle When Traveling in an RV
    7. You'll Have to Deal With Your Own Waste From Your RV
    8. Quarters Are Close in Your RV
    9. RVs Aren’t Easy to Drive
    10. Overnight Parking Can Be Problematic With an RV
    11. RV Repairs Can Be Costly
    12. You’ll Need to Get Rid of a Lot of Your Stuff
    13. It Can Get Lonely on the Road in an RV
    14. An Airbnb for RVs? You Might Want to Try Before You Buy


    The only one I really disagree with is #2, if you buy the interior that you like, you won't need to upgrade it (though you'll still want to add accessories, like hooks, storage bins, etc along with all of the normal gear you need for RVing). And #14 isn't really a drawback, it's a suggestion to try before you buy, which makes sense.


    For completeness, here's their 10 reasons to retire in an RV list published the day before the reasons not to buy an RV article:

    1. Even During the Lockdown, You Can Still Buy an RV
    2. You Can Self-Isolate in an RV During COVID and Still Travel
    3. You Can Live on a Modest Budget in an RV
    4. RVers Can Volunteer to Give Back (And Save Money)
    5. You’ll Buy Less Stuff Traveling in an RV
    6. You Can Take the Road Less Traveled in an RV
    7. You’ll See More of Your Family While Traveling in an RV
    8. You’ll Eat Well in Your RV Travels
    9. Oh, the Places You’ll Go …
    10. And the People You’ll Meet
  • smarty's avatar
    smarty
    Explorer II
    Apr 02, 2021
    I have a list of 1,000 reasons why I absolutely love being retired in an RV. To each their own. Biggest mistake I see is people deciding to retire in an RV when they have spent little or no time in an RV prior to retirement.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Apr 02, 2021
    rlw999 wrote:
    time2roll wrote:
    Compared to what? Some newbie re-writes this article every year just to get some followers.


    I'd guess that it's compared to not buying an RV -- there are lots of ways to retire without driving around in an RV that can be expensive to own and operate and someone contemplating the lifestyle needs to look at both pros and cons.

    To start a discussion, here are the main points from the 14 reasons you will regret an RV in retirement article:
    1. RVs Are Really Expensive As if rent or a mortgage is cheap
    2. You’ll Spend Even More Money Updating Your RV's Decor Compared to aa 1800 square foot house, doubtful
    3. Your RV Will Depreciate in Value so does your car
    4. RVs Guzzle Fuel only if you continually move, as if a home does not guzzle fuel to heat or cool
    5. You'll Need Extra Insurance for Your RV have you checked rates for a cabin in the woods lately...
    6. Health Care Can Be a Hassle When Traveling in an RV Maybe some
    7. You'll Have to Deal With Your Own Waste From Your RV And a lot less yard work
    8. Quarters Are Close in Your RV combined with far better open space right out the door
    9. RVs Aren’t Easy to Drive says who
    10. Overnight Parking Can Be Problematic With an RV only if you expect a free night in the city
    11. RV Repairs Can Be Costly compared to a home, doubtful
    12. You’ll Need to Get Rid of a Lot of Your StuffThis is actually one of the best parts
    13. It Can Get Lonely on the Road in an RV only if you try to hide from people
    14. An Airbnb for RVs? You Might Want to Try Before You Buy


  • rlw999's avatar
    rlw999
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2021
    time2roll wrote:



    1. RVs Are Really Expensive As if rent or a mortgage is cheap
    2. Your RV Will Depreciate in Value so does your car




    I won't answer all of your points, but what makes an RV more expensive in the house is that it's a depreciating asset, but a house (usually) appreciates. After 10 years in a $150K RV, you'll have a $10K vehicle that might be worth almost what you still own on your 15 year loan. After 10 years in a $150K house, you might have a $200K house that you might have already paid off by then and it will last for the rest of your life.

    Your $25K car depreciates too, but it's a lot harder to find a car loan that will outlive the useful lifetime of a car, but I've seen 20 year RV loans and may RV's won't last 20 years of full-time living.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Apr 02, 2021
    rlw999 wrote:
    time2roll wrote:
    Compared to what? Some newbie re-writes this article every year just to get some followers.


    I'd guess that it's compared to not buying an RV -- there are lots of ways to retire without driving around in an RV that can be expensive to own and operate and someone contemplating the lifestyle needs to look at both pros and cons.

    To start a discussion, here are the main points from the 14 reasons you will regret an RV in retirement article:
    1. RVs Are Really Expensive So are S&B's
    2. You’ll Spend Even More Money Updating Your RV's Decor WHY, haven't done it in 14 years
    3. Your RV Will Depreciate in Value True, but it only matters IF I intend to sell it
    4. RVs Guzzle Fuel [COLOR=]Compared to a 747 no, compared to my Focus yes, it's all relavant, and to how often you move it
    5. You'll Need Extra Insurance for Your RV Not sure what he means, "Extra Insurance", but the insurance on the RV is nowhere near the cost of my home owners.
    6. Health Care Can Be a Hassle When Traveling in an RV Not really sure why it would be
    7. You'll Have to Deal With Your Own Waste From Your RV I deal with it in the S&B too, what's the difference, other than I have to hook up a hose from the RV.
    8. Quarters Are Close in Your RV Yes, some prefer it that way, they call it COZY. and then it all depends on the RV.
    9. RVs Aren’t Easy to Drive, By the term "Drive" I assume he's talking about a MH rather than a TT or 5'er, and that's really a matter of opinion, if it's a newbie who's never driven anything bigger than an SUV, perhaps, but once you're past the learning curve, it's no problem.
    10. Overnight Parking Can Be Problematic With an RV Again a matter of opinion, there are Many places to overnight, from Interstate rest stops, Many of the box stores, (Walmart, Lowes) shopping centers, Casinos, Churches, Cracker Barrels and others.
    11. RV Repairs Can Be Costly So can repairs at the S&B
    12. You’ll Need to Get Rid of a Lot of Your Stuff And the problem there IS?? Most of it, you didn't really need in the first place.
    13. It Can Get Lonely on the Road in an RV Not possible, my DW won't let it, even if I wanted to.
      Airbnb for RVs? You Might Want to Try Before You Buy


    The only one I really disagree with is #2, if you buy the interior that you like, you won't need to upgrade it (though you'll still want to add accessories, like hooks, storage bins, etc along with all of the normal gear you need for RVing). And #14 isn't really a drawback, it's a suggestion to try before you buy, which makes sense.


    For completeness, here's their 10 reasons to retire in an RV list published the day before the reasons not to buy an RV article:

    1. Even During the Lockdown, You Can Still Buy an RV
    2. You Can Self-Isolate in an RV During COVID and Still Travel
    3. You Can Live on a Modest Budget in an RV
    4. RVers Can Volunteer to Give Back (And Save Money)
    5. You’ll Buy Less Stuff Traveling in an RV
    6. You Can Take the Road Less Traveled in an RV
    7. You’ll See More of Your Family While Traveling in an RV
    8. You’ll Eat Well in Your RV Travels
    9. Oh, the Places You’ll Go …
    10. And the People You’ll Meet
  • JimK-NY's avatar
    JimK-NY
    Explorer II
    Apr 02, 2021
    This kind of sad journalism is called click bait. I doubt the professional writer who cranks out this nonsense has ever even owned an RV. Here is my experience on the 14 points.
    1. My RV was not expensive.
    2. Even years later we have changed none of the decor.
    3. Depreciation was a plus for us. We bought used.
    4. I spent less on fuel while traveling than when I commuted for work.
    5. Insurance costs on our RV were really, really low.
    6. We had no issues with healthcare or finding providers.
    7. Waste is a nuisance not much worse than taking out the trash.
    8. Space is tight indoors but we lived in the great wide outdoors.
    9. My RV is easy too drive and park. We did not overdo the size.
    10. We never had an issue finding parking and rarely make reservations.
    11. In over 10 years, we only had one simple repair performed by a shop.
    12. We downsized but also stored much of our stuff. Storage was cheap.
    13. Loneliness was not an issue and we visited friends and relatives.
    14. We did not need to prep by renting first. We bought our RV and never used it until we started as full timers. There were no surprises or setbacks.

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